Many people today prefer natural farm products from the market to store-bought ones. And therefore, the question often arises of how long to boil cow’s milk, which was purchased from an unknown seller. Let's figure out together whether a natural product needs boiling and whether it is better to do without it, because heating destroys most of the beneficial substances.
What dangers can unboiled milk pose?
When purchasing milk in a store, you can be sure that the product in the basket is pasteurized, sterilized or ultra-pasteurized. It can be eaten without processing.When purchasing whole farm milk, the consumer receives a product that must be boiled before drinking.
Important: boiling is mandatory, even if the product is not intended for baby food.
Milk purchased in a store undergoes mandatory bacteriological control. Any large dairy plant has its own laboratory, which tests first the raw materials and then the finished product.
Consumption of unboiled farm milk is dangerous for children and adults; it can cause unpleasant symptoms in the form of mild nausea or diarrhea, and can put you in a hospital bed for a long time with a life-threatening disease (tuberculosis, brucellosis, staphylococcal infection, foot-and-mouth disease).
It is better not to drink homemade milk raw, even from your own cow, when the consumer is completely confident in the cleanliness of the milk bowl, the milkmaid's clothes, the cow's udder, and knows that the animal does not have a dangerous infection. After all, when milking, bacteria from animal hair, floors and walls in the barn can get into the liquid. Bacteria multiply faster in milk than in water because the environment is more nutritious.
Boil according to the rules
The product should be boiled as soon as possible after purchase, but first you need to check the freshness of the drink. Pour a teaspoon of water and a little milk into the pan in which you plan to boil the product. If the mixture brought to a boil does not curdle, you can boil all the purchased milk. If flakes appear in the hot mixture or the milk has curdled, do not boil the leftovers.They can be used for baking pancakes, pancakes, and kneading dough.
To boil milk, take a ceramic, glass, aluminum or stainless steel pan. An enamel container will not work; the milk will definitely burn in it.
The bottom of the pan should be moistened with cold water, then a saucer or a special metal guard should be placed on it, bottom up. These items will prevent him from escaping. Then place the pan on high heat and constantly stir the product while heating. When it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low, maintaining the intensity of stirring. Do not leave a hot pan unattended.
In 2-3 minutes of boiling, the product will get rid of harmful bacteria, spores, and larvae. Unfortunately, under the influence of high temperatures, most of the beneficial substances contained in the drink decompose, but potassium, calcium, and magnesium are preserved, making it safe for a child or adult consumer. After heat treatment, the liquid should be cooled, then poured from the pan into a glass container (jar, jug, ceramic milk jug), closed with a lid and placed in the refrigerator.
How long does boiled milk last?
Raw milk can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day. After boiling, it can remain fresh for 2-3 days. It should be stored in a tightly closed container, away from products with a strong odor (fish, smoked meats), because it quickly absorbs extraneous aromas. Since the milk fat rises to the top, forming a layer of cream, the milk should be thoroughly stirred before drinking using a clean, dry spoon.
It should not be stored on shelves in the refrigerator door; the temperature there is too high and does not ensure the freshness of the product.If the milk is not intended for drinking, but for baking, cereals, soups, it can be placed in the freezer. This way it will stay fresh for a long time. It should be remembered that during such storage the product loses the taste and beneficial substances present in milk.
To increase shelf life, you can add a little sugar to the milk - a piece of refined sugar or 1 level teaspoon per liter of product. It must be mixed thoroughly.
Useful tips
Before boiling, you should strain the drink through several layers of gauze or linen cloth, this way you get rid of blades of grass and pieces of hay that could get into the milk pan. For boiling, take a large pan; do not fill the container to the brim. In this case, the likelihood that the milk will not have time to escape is much higher. If the product burns while boiling, you must immediately pour it into another container and add a pinch of table salt. The milk will not have an unpleasant smell or taste.
You should not leave the kitchen if there is a pan of milk on the stove. The product runs away quickly, and cleaning the stove and kitchen utensils from the remains of burnt milk is not a particularly entertaining process.
If the milk has curdled during the boiling process, you need to throw the curd onto a clean cloth or gauze and allow the excess liquid to drain. The whey can be used to bake pancakes or pancakes, and the milk will make delicious and tender cottage cheese. If it burns in a pan, fill the container with cold water, add a little baking soda and let stand for 2-3 hours. After this, boil the solution in a saucepan for 10-15 minutes and clean with a sponge.
If there is too much drink, you can make homemade condensed milk with sugar. For a glass of milk you will need 0.5 cups of sugar. Cook over low heat for 2-3 hours.You can use a slow cooker for cooking. Condensed milk should be cooked from a product with high fat content.
To prepare a melted drink, you can boil the product, pour it into a thermos and leave until the morning. Second option: boil the milk, then place it in the oven and simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours.
Of course, homemade milk is much tastier and healthier than the store-bought product from a pack. It’s especially nice when you can buy a natural product from friends or relatives, and be confident in the quality of the product and the cleanliness of the sellers. However, it should be remembered that non-factory-produced cow's milk should always be boiled. This will protect the health of all family members.
